In the backcountry, a solid layer system isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a necessity. A very important, very real necessity. Because when the storm rolls in and nature’s harshest conditions come to play in big mountain terrain, no one knows better than the Natural Selection Tour that the key to surviving in the backcountry is what’s next to skin.
Liam Griffin, COO and Co-Founder of Natural Selection Tour, said it best.
“The Natural Selection crew do it all in some of the toughest conditions I've ever been in. Sometimes you're working up on the ridge, you're exposed, it's nuking, it's windy, and then you're down the bottom and it's a completely different climate. Having gear that allows you to work in all those different conditions is key to surviving.”
“Your layering, what’s next to skin, it matters. If you don't have the right gear, you're going to freeze. That’s why Merino wool is so important.”
Here at Mons Royale, we couldn’t agree more. Which is why we’re proud to be the Official Next-to-skin Partner for the Natural Selection Tour. Because when the world’s best riders and guides head deep into the backcountry, Merino wool isn’t just a base layer. It’s nature’s climate control.
What makes Merino the wool for the job?
According to Conor McElyea from NST, there are two key rules of fight (backcountry) club.
“The key when you're moving around the backcountry is: you’ve got to stay dry, and you’ve got to stay warm. You’re going to be sweating, so you need your base layers to be able to wick moisture away. And Merino wool? It's the best wool for the job.”
Backcountry travel is a constant cycle: hike, sweat, stop, freeze, repeat. Synthetic layers might move moisture to an extent, but they also trap odour and can feel clammy and cold once wet. Merino wool does the opposite. It pulls moisture away from your skin, regulates temperature naturally, and keeps working even when conditions turn ugly.
That’s because Merino fibres are naturally breathable and thermoregulating, which means they adapt as your body heats up or cools down. You sweat on the climb. You stay warm on the ridge. You drop in dry. For professional snowboarder Gigi Rüf, Merino is the difference between feeling soaked and staying in control of your temps right throughout your run.
“Having Mons Royale support me with Merino wool when I'm sweating, which I do a lot, I don't feel like I'm wet,” says Gigi. “You need climate control. That's what Merino does. As Travis Rice would say, get the plastic off the people.”
Nice perk? Merino wool stays fresher much, much longer.
“If I'm on a multi-day backcountry trip, I am exclusively in Merino base layers,” says Conor. “I can put them on each and every day, and I'm never having to worry about that underarm stink. Unlike a synthetic, where basically every time you wear it, it's got to go through a wash cycle.”
Translation: less gear, less stink, more riding. Because when you’re out in the mountains for 8–10 hours a day, the details matter. Breathability matters. Warmth matters. And not smelling like a horse is a really nice win amongst your mates.
The Merino layer system
Conor himself runs a classic backcountry layering system.
- Merino base layer. These are the layers that sit directly next to your skin. Merino at this level keeps you warm when it matters, regulating your temps like synthetics could only dream. They balance out spikes in temps too, which means you notice the heat and cold less when you’re stopping and starting.
- Merino mid-layer. This adds insulation between your base layers and your outer layer, keeping you warmer in storm conditions and ensuring your core stays regulated. Connor runs a hooded mid-layer that slips under his helmet and keeps his neck dry.
- Merino neckwarmer or balaclava and beanie. Keep your lid warm, dry, and moving moisture away from your face. The good thing about Merino balaclavas is that even when it's storming, Merino wool stays warm when it’s wet, so your balaclava never turns into a frozen face mask.
- Outer protection from wind and snow. Throw your snow gear on over top, and you’re ready to go.
We’re out in the elements all day, so being properly equipped with the right layers is mission-critical. With this layering system, I’m feeling good about staying warm, staying dry, and the stoke is high.
Conor McElyea, NST
The bottom Merino line
Layering in the backcountry isn’t about piling on gear and hoping for the best. It’s about choosing smarter layers. Start with Merino next to skin. Add breathable, lightweight Merino insulation. Finish with protection from the elements.
Because when the storm hits and the terrain opens up, the right layers mean you stay warm, dry, and riding.
TLDR: That’s exactly what Mons Royale was built for.
